When can they drink from dish

[Bugsie]

When can a baby start to drink his formula out of a dish. When I am feeding Bugsie with the syringe, if I drop any on the log he lick it off immediately. He is 8-10 weeks old. I think he could do it, but I don't know if he would suck it up his nose?

[island rehabber]

8+ weeks is when a squirrel normally starts weaning himself off formula, so I would put a shallow dish of water in his cage now and let him try it out. Or, you can use a water bottle -- less spluttering with those. Are you raising Bugsie to release? If so, he should learn to lap water as soon as he can because that's how he'll get it in the wild. Don't worry if he splutters a bit at first.

[Jackie in Tampa]

I love the first time...sooo messy and cute!:thumbsup

[mbenefield]

My little Keba girl in just a matter of 2 days completely gave up formula. I put in her cage a water bottle cap full of water and it probably took her 3 good sticking her nose in the water before she realized what to do with it. But since then she still loves her water.

[Bugsie]

Hi Island,

Bugsie is not for release. Both his back legs are deformed. I posted pics of him they are under "Introducing Bugsie". I will try the bowl today. He is so funny I apparently go to slow with the syringe and he yanks it out of my hand.

[island rehabber]

He is so funny I apparently go to slow with the syringe and he yanks it out of my hand.

:rotflcute! well, better too slow than too fast :thumbsup
If Bugsie can manage one, a water bottle might be best for him. You won't have to replace the water so often and he won't run through it and get all wet.

[Jackie in Tampa]

I apparently go to slow with the syringe and he yanks it out of my hand.
I have one that is a nipple thief...had to stop using one altogether...scared he'll suck it down!:nono Almost 4 months old and still won't drink from a bowl! But have some younger that will only drink from a bowl :dono
:tilt

[4skwerlz]

I think you were asking when they could drink FORMULA out of a dish, not water. I found that even when they were old enough to do it, giving them formula in a dish was incredibly messy. They would get all excited and drink too fast and sneeze it all over the place, walk through it, sit in it, tip it over..... One of the rehabbers might have some "tricks" on how to do it better though.

[Bugsie]

Hi 4skwerlz,
Yes I was curious about the formula. If he does drink it to fast and sneezes does that mean he is aspirating it. I havent tried it yet. He has came so far, for me to go and kill him now:dono

[4skwerlz]

Hi 4skwerlz,
Yes I was curious about the formula. If he does drink it to fast and sneezes does that mean he is aspirating it. I havent tried it yet. He has came so far, for me to go and kill him now:dono

You should definitely ask one of the rehabbers, like Island Rehabber for example, since they are EXPERTS in caring for babies. What I know is that when they are 8+ weeks, aspiration is less of a danger since older babies are better able to protect their airway. But like I said, you should contact one of the rehabbers as I'm sure they can give you some great tips on feeding older babies. Good luck.

[island rehabber]

I'm sorry, Bugsie...I did misinterpret your question -- gettin' old :oldwise:sanp3
Anyway, I wouldn't put formula in a dish for the exact reasons mentioned here -- the squirrels run thru it, tip it over, and mess up themselves and the cage with a substance that spoils within hours and smells up everything. Also, when they get it on their fur the fur will fall out if not cleaned off right away. I would continue syringe feeding him formula until he gives it up himself, meanwhile providing water in a dish or water bottle for him to make the eventual transition. :)

[Bugsie]

Too funny Island. You don't seem old at all. You still got lots of squirrel spunk:jump

[island rehabber]

:thankyou:D

[scurry'smama]

Scurry is going to be 15 weeks old tomorrow and still consumes at least 24 cc's formula from her syringe twice a day. She has yet to drink water from a bowl or from her lixit bottle.... very babied and spoiled girl... Nutkin, our first squirrel was drinking water from a lixit at 8 weeks completely weaned from formula and ate all foods offered. My guess is they are like other kids and are all different and progress to diffrent stages at diff. ages.
Keep tryin... that's what I do! Good luck!:thumbsup